Top 10 Richest Female Musicians in Nigeria [2024]

The Nigerian music industry is known for its vibrant and competitive nature, with numerous talented artists making their mark both locally and internationally. While male artists typically dominate the music industry, there are several influential and equally talented female musicians who have achieved remarkable success and have become a force to be reckoned with.

Notably, the rise of women to prominence in the Nigeria music scene dates back to the 90s, when the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, Evi-Edna Ogholi, Salawa Abeni, and Christy Essien-Igbokwe disrupted the industry with golden hit songs.

To put this in context, Salawa Abeni was the first Nigerian female artist to sell more than a million copies of her debut album. More interestingly, she achieved this incredible feat in 1976, long before the proliferation of the internet.

And now, with the global reach of the internet and streaming services, Nigerian female artists are doing so much more to make their impact felt, while also amassing significant wealth through their careers.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 richest female musicians in Nigeria for 2024, how much they are worth, their rise to fame, and their achievements.

1. Tiwa Savage

• Net Worth: $9 million
• Full Name: Tiwatope Omolara Savage
• Date of Birth: 5 February 1980 (44 years old)
• First Hit Song: Kele Kele (2010)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements
• Appearance Fee (per show): $100,000

Tiwa Savage, famously regarded as the Queen of Afrobeats, stands as the richest female musician in Nigeria in 2024 with a net worth of $9 million.

Born in Ikeja, Lagos State, Tiwa’s early years were marked by a move to London at age 11. Her pursuit of higher education led her to the University of Kent, where she earned a degree in Business Administration.

She started her music career as a backup singer for luminaries such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige during her time in the UK. This foundation in the global music scene laid the groundwork for her eventual ascendancy in the industry.

In 2010, she released her first hit song, ‘Kele Kele’ which really shook up the male-dominated industry. Little did anyone know, she was only testing the waters.

After completing her studies at the Berklee College of Music, she relocated to Nigeria to further her music career journey, joining Mavin Records in 2013. Her career has been marked by a meteoric rise and chart-topping hits, including collaborations with international stars.

Her appearance fee per show, a whopping $100,000, attests to her immense popularity and demand in the industry. This, combined with the revenue generated from her music sales and endorsements, has propelled her to the summit of Nigeria’s richest female musicians.

2. Yemi Alade

• Net Worth: $5 million
• Full Name: Yemi Eberechi Alade
• Date of Birth: 13 March 1989 (35 years old)
• First Hit Song: Johnny (2014)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Fashion Entrepreneur
• Appearance Fee (per show): $75,000

Yemi Alade, fondly called “Mama Africa”, is a prominent Nigerian singer who has become a household name not only in Nigeria but across Africa. Her musical talent is incredibly diverse, covering a wide range of genres including Afro-pop, R&B, Highlife, and Dancehall.

Yemi’s journey to stardom began with a resounding victory in the 2009 Peak Talent Show singing contest. Since then, she has released a string of chart-topping hits such as “Johnny”, “Na Gode”, and “Ferrari”, each contributing significantly to her global recognition.

In 2014, with the release of “Johnny”, Yemi Alade made history as the first African female Afropop artist to amass over 89 million views on YouTube. The song also holds the title for the most-watched African Female YouTube music video of all time. But that is not the only time Yemi Alade has disrupted history; she is also the most-awarded female artist in Nigeria.

Yemi Alade’s net worth stands at an impressive $5 million. This wealth stems from her thriving music career, strategic endorsements, and her foray into the world of fashion entrepreneurship, selling jewelry and partnering with top brands.

With an appearance fee of $75,000 per show, she continues to command an enviable presence on the music scene, solidifying her status as one of the wealthiest female artists in Nigeria.

3. Aṣa

• Net Worth: $5 million
• Full Name: Bukola Elemide
• Date of Birth: 17 September 1982 (42 years old)
• First Hit Song: Eyé Adaba (2007)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Entrepreneur

Bukola Elemide, widely known as Aṣa, is a Nigerian-French singer famous for her eclectic music style and stage performances.

Although she was born in Paris, her family made the move back to Nigeria at the tender age of two, where she spent much of her upbringing in Lagos.

It wasn’t until 18 years later that Aṣa returned to Paris and enrolled in the IMFP School of Jazz Music. But before leaving for Paris, she had released her inaugural hit single, ‘Eye Adaba’ (meaning ‘dove’).

Her teachers recognized her immense talent and advised her to focus on her recordings, deeming further schooling unnecessary. She obliged and went on to release her eponymous album ‘Aṣa’ in 2007 which achieved platinum status.

From here on, she toured the world, spreading love through her voice and her infectious melody. She released her second album ‘Beautiful Imperfection’ in 2011 and it also went platinum.

Of course, she was making a lot of money from it. Despite her wealth and fame, she lives a very simple and modest life. And yes, she remains unmarried to this day. Not that she never gave love a chance though; in Aṣa’s words during an interview with Korty Eo in 2022, “You won’t be disappointed if you don’t invest in people”.

4. Omawumi

• Net Worth: $3 million
• Full Name: Omawumi Megbele
• Date of Birth: 13 April 1982 (42 years old)
• First Hit Song: In The Music (2008)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Acting
• Appearance Fee (per show): ₦5 million (as of 2014)

Omawumi Megbele, known simply as Omawumi, stands as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished and prosperous female artists. As of 2014, she was the highest-paid female artist in Nigeria, earning ₦5 million per show.

In May 2007, her talent took her to the prestigious stage of West African Idols, where she emerged as the first runner-up. This marked the turning point in her career, leading her to perform alongside some of the industry’s biggest names like P-Square, 2face Idibia, D’Banj, and others.

But her talent is not just limited to music, Omawumi is also a skilled actress, with roles in both Nigerian and international movies.

5. Chidinma

• Net Worth: $2.8 million
• Full Name: Chidinma Ekile
• Date of Birth: 2 May 1991 (33 years old)
• First Hit Song: Jankoliko (2011)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Acting

Chidinma discovered her passion for singing at the tender age of six. Her journey took a significant turn in 2010 when she emerged as the winner of the third season of Project Fame West Africa, earning her a production deal, a 2011 Toyota RAV4, and ₦2.5 million.

This marked the beginning of a musical odyssey that would see her release hits like “Jankoliko” and “Kedike”. Notably, her single “Emi Ni Baller” made history by propelling her to the number one spot on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart, solidifying her position as a leading female artist in Nigeria.

With a career spanning over a decade, Chidinma’s net worth has soared to an impressive $2.8 million, placing her in the 5th position among the richest female musicians in Nigeria in 2024. Her wealth isn’t solely from music; she’s also made ventures into acting and brand endorsements.

In 2021, Chidinma transitioned to gospel music and dedicated herself to Christian ministry. Her gospel single, “Jehovah Overdo”, released in May 2021, was met with acclaim, setting the stage for her debut gospel EP, “New Season”, which dropped in August of the same year.

6. Sheyi Shay

• Net Worth: $2.1 million
• Full Name: Oluwaseyi Joshua
• Date of Birth: 21 December 1985 (38 years old)
• First Hit Song: Irawo (2012)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Acting

Seyi Shay‘s journey in music started early, influenced by the musical atmosphere in her household. Her mother was a chorister, her sister composed songs for the BBC, and her brother was a prominent DJ.

Now, with a family packed with so many musical talents, Seyi Shay didn’t choose to be the black sheep. She started performing as early as six years old and even toured with the London Community Gospel Choir, a journey that took her to 13 cities in Japan.

As her career progressed, Seyi Shay decided to venture into Nigeria’s music scene, thanks to an introduction to Sound Sultan and Cecil Hammond. She joined Flytime Music and launched her solo career. Her versatile talent allowed her to work with artists like Justin Timberlake, Darey, and Michelle Williams.

Seyi Shay’s debut studio album, “Seyi or Shay,” released in November 2015, was a milestone. She collaborated with prominent Nigerian producers, and her singles “Loving Your Way” and “No Le Le” marked the beginning of her singing career in Nigeria. The album also featured tracks like “Irawo,” which she wrote to inspire her peers.

With a net worth of $2.1 million, she’s secured her financial standing through music, endorsements, and acting.

7. Simi

• Net Worth: $2 million
• Full Name: Simisola Bolatito Kosoko
• Date of Birth: 19 April 1988 (36 years old)
• First Hit Song: Tiff (2014)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements
• Appearance Fee (per show): $60,000

With an impressive net worth of $2 million, Simi takes the 7th spot among Nigeria’s richest female musicians in 2024.

Unlike Chidinma, Simi’s musical journey began as a gospel singer before transitioning into circular music. Her debut studio album was a gospel song released in 2008 titled ‘Ogaju’.

Her path to fame accelerated in 2014 with the release of “Tiff,” a song that earned her a nomination for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. This propelled her into the public eye and led to a record deal with X3M Music.

Simi’s career continued to ascend with subsequent hits like “Love Don’t Care” and collaborations with artists like Falz. Her second studio album, “Simisola,” released in 2017, made a significant mark, even debuting at number 5 on the Billboard World Albums chart.

Notably, in 2019, Simi took a significant step in her career by establishing her own record label, Studio Brat, after parting ways with X3M Music. This move reflected her entrepreneurial spirit and independence in the music industry.

8. Waje

• Net Worth: $1.7 million
• Full Name: Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe
• Date of Birth: 1 September 1980 (44 years old)
• First Hit Song: Na The Way (2013)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Acting, Entrepreneur

Waje is a Nigerian singer renowned for her powerful vocals, with a vocal range spanning three octaves. She is also famous for being one of the judges at The Voice Nigeria talent show.

Waje’s journey to success was marked by resilience and determination. Growing up as the firstborn and first daughter in her family, she faced the challenge of her parents’ separation at a young age. Despite this, her talent shone through, and she captured the attention of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa with her soulful gospel renditions.

Although she officially launched her music career in 2007, her breakout moment arrived in 2008 when she featured on P-Square’s hit track “Do Me,” a song that resonated across Africa and parts of Europe.

This marked the start of a series of collaborations and projects that would solidify her presence in the music scene. From working with M.I. on “One Naira” to releasing her debut studio album, “Words Aren’t Just Enough,” in 2013, Waje’s star continued to rise.

Beyond music, Waje ventured into acting, making her debut in the 2014 film “Tunnel.” Her talent and entrepreneurial spirit also led her to co-launch Hermanes Media, a media company specializing in film and TV production, advertising, and digital marketing.

As of the latest available information, Waje’s net worth stands at $1.7 million. This wealth has been accrued through her music career, lucrative endorsements, and ventures in acting.

9. Tems

• Net Worth: $1 million
• Full Name: Temilade Openiyi
• Date of Birth: 11 June 1995 (29 years old)
• First Hit Song: Try Me (2019)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements
• Appearance Fee (per show): $50,000

Tems is a shining example of the immense talent emerging from Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.

Her family moved from Lagos to the UK when Tems was an infant but returned to Nigeria when she was five following her parents’ separation. Much like every other artist on this list, Tems’ musical journey started early.

As she grew, her passion for music also grew so much that she quit her job and dive headfirst into the world of music. She honed her skills by learning self-production through online platforms like YouTube and successfully produced her first song, “Mr. Rebel”.

Tems’ breakout moment came with the release of “Try Me” in 2019, which propelled her to the spotlight. Following this, she collaborated with notable names in the music industry, including Khalid, Disclosure, and Davido.

However, it was her collaboration with Wizkid on the track “Essence” that truly propelled her to international stardom. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination and marked a historic achievement by reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Tems’ groundbreaking moment arrived in 2022 when her vocals from the song “Higher” were featured on Future’s single, “Wait for U.” The track debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to achieve this feat. This achievement was followed by a Grammy win for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

Beyond her musical prowess, Tems’ achievements extend to co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” which received nominations at prestigious award ceremonies like the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

With an estimated net worth of $1 million, Tems’ wealth primarily stems from her music career and lucrative endorsements. She commands an appearance fee of $50,000 per show, a testament to her immense popularity.

10. Ayra Starr

• Net Worth: $1 million
• Full Name: Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe
• Date of Birth: 14 June 2002 (22 years old)
• First Hit Song: Away (2021)
• Source of Wealth: Music, Endorsements, Modelling
• Appearance Fee (per show): $50,000

Ayra is an Arabic name for someone who is highly respected, woke, and open-minded. Undoubtedly, Ayra Starr, or ‘Celestial Being’ as she’s fondly called, exemplifies these qualities in her artistry.

At just 17 years old, the Beninese-born Nigerian singer, model, and fashion entrepreneur gained prominence when her first original song ‘Damage’ went viral on Instagram. This led to her signing with Mavin Records in 2019.

Ayra wasted no time in showcasing her talent. On January 22, 2021, she dropped her debut hit ‘Away’, which quickly garnered millions of streams.

In that same remarkable year, she released ‘Bloody Samaritan’, a track that saw her become the first solo female artist to claim the number-one spot on the Top 50 chart.

But it didn’t end there. In 2022, she released another single, ‘Rush’ which propelled her to the international stage and saw her become the youngest African Female Artist to amass over 100 million views on a single YouTube video in just 5 months. She also made history as the first Nigerian female artist to chart a solo song on the UK Singles Chart.

Expectedly, these accomplishments have significantly enriched her bank balance. Ayra Starr has an impressive net worth of $1 million, making her the youngest artist on this list of richest female musicians in Nigeria. Her revenue streams flow from her music, lucrative endorsements, and her modeling ventures.

Given her widespread fame and illustrious career, Ayra Starr commands an appearance fee of $50,000 per show, excluding flight expenses, accommodation, and other incidentals.

The Top 10 Richest Female Artists in Nigeria [2024]

Conclusion

As we draw the curtain on this exploration, it’s evident that Nigeria’s female musicians are not only creating beautiful music but also building substantial empires. The likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, or more recently, Tems, Ayra Starr, and others are not just voices, but beacons of inspiration for budding artists and entrepreneurs alike.

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